Historic Lilly-Weston house in Westlake begins its restoration journey

WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Visitors to the Lilly-Weston House during a Westlake Historical Society open house June 20 had a chance to see the beginnings of its restoration.

The home, built in 1844 on more than 150 acres, is on Detroit Road next to the city recreation center, in what was once called Dover Township. Austin and Roxanna Lilly came originally from Ashfield, Mass., in 1832. A brick extension was added onto the house in about 1850, and the Lilly family lived in the stone house until 1867, when the Weston family purchased it.

Thus the current reference to the house as the Lilly-Weston house.

After several other owners, the sandstone house was given over to the City of Westlake by Alice Ladanyi, a great-granddaughter of George Weston.

In preparation for its restoration, the house has been stripped bare inside. It is interesting to see the original flooring; the thick, hand-hewn beams; and the unusually massive, two-feet-thick sandstone blocks. But one needs some imagination to envision the restoration to come.

William Krause (left) greets Weston descendant John Soeasman at the historic Lilly-Weston house.Linda Gandee/special to cleveland.com

William Krause, assistant director for the planning and economic development department in Westlake, is a member of the committee of the historical society that is just beginning to raise funds for the restoration. Krause was on hand for the open house and proved himself to be not only a lover of history, but a fountain of knowledge about the house and its occupants.

Currently, the house is being used for storage of historical artifacts. A shingle-making bench, a sleigh with sleigh bells, and a children's pony cart of the era were only three of the interesting treasures obtained through donations.

But it was George Weston's bedroom furniture that was a wonderful surprise -- a set, Krause said, that had just arrived the day before. The entire set looks brand new.

A long musket in a transparent case also is believed to be the property of Weston. There is ongoing research on the piece.

Coincidentally, a special visitor appeared at the open house who was a descendant of Weston's -- John Soeasman. It turned out that he was the one who donated the Weston bedroom set. He said he is Weston's great-great-great-grandson.

The Lilly-Weston committee meets monthly to discuss fundraising activities for the restoration. They hope to raise at least $200,000. Once the restoration is complete, the house will be a museum for educational tours for schools and the public.

Sponsorship opportunities currently include a beam for $1,000, a joist for $500, a stud for $250, and two lesser categories for $100 and $50.

For more information or to become a sponsor, visit http://www.westlakeohiohistory.org.